Bordeaux Specials

It’s a very wet spring and early summer for the 2018 vintage and the mildew that everyone is suffering from is even heavier in properties that are biodynamic with their only defence copper and sulphate (allowed as they are ‘natural’ but in tiny doses) and infusions of nettle and Horsetail. Cellar master/vineyard manager Nicolas Cosse … Continue reading →

Thoreau said “the price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it”. Well prices for 2017 seem to be about equal to ‘good’ vintages that have already matured in bottle and are closer to the exciting time when they are ‘ready to drink’ and you can pull the cork such as 2006 … Continue reading →

Sevens are notoriously unlucky here in Bordeaux. There has been one outstanding vintage ending in a seven but that was back in 1947. Everyone has heard of the catastrophic very late frosts that hit at the end of April last year when vegetation was well developed (2 weeks in advance than normal). But what is … Continue reading →

It has been the 2016 future’s week here in Bordeaux. The 2016 vintage is a great one. Overall the wines have body, rich ripe fruit, structure and freshness. There is some heterogenity depending on terroir’s ability to cope with the dry conditions. The best are already integrated, balanced with ripe fruit and freshness and elegant with … Continue reading →

With the boom in wine tourism in Bordeaux, a number of famous working wine châteaux have opened their rooms to guests. Here is your chance to experience the French Art of Living, the life of a châtelaine; luxurious but authentic a real taste of the Bourgeois Bordeaux life. LEFT BANK Haut Médoc: Château du … Continue reading →

Dear Wine Friends, I so enjoy sharing my passion of Bordeaux and its authentic people and wines. Bordeaux may be one of the oldest wine regions in the world but it is definitely waking up and there is a new dynamism taking hold in the famous classified properties and the SIPs (smaller independent producers). Here … Continue reading →

This last year which ever ‘chai’ (above ground barrel cellar in Bordeaux) I visited, there were woman everywhere busy at work racking wine from one barrel to another, moving barrels to clean them, taking samples from vats, pumping over wine from the bottom of the vat to the top. The usual cellar work you may … Continue reading →

SIP WINE CLUB Small Independent Producers Direct from them to you Here are four unknown wine discoveries that are totally SIP. Made uniquely by passionate producers from their own small independent family properties. Delivered direct to your doorstep cutting out any middle men. Authentic wines with their own particular story, the true wines of Bordeaux … Continue reading →

After breakfast on the quayside market in Bordeaux (fancy oysters and a glass of white wine?) head off to the vineyards for a visit and tasting and some of Bordeaux’s most famous châteaux that are open all hours (but make sure to pre-book!). Take your choice between St Emilion, Medoc, Graves and Sauternes! St Emilion … Continue reading →